Clinical Opportunities in Ophthalmology

Medical students performing research at Wilmer Eye Institute

For Hopkins Medical Students

The Wilmer Eye Institute offers medical students at all stages in their training the opportunity to learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions, some of which can provide insights to common disorders in other fields. During the second, third and fourth years, students have the opportunity to shadow some of the leading clinical ophthalmologists in the world.

See the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine electives book.

  • Clinical skills sessions during years 1 and 2. See below for ophthalmology lectures given during the Nervous System and Special Senses block of the Genes to Society course.
  • 3 week ophthalmology rotation as part of the general surgery rotation.
  • 4 week general clinical elective.
  • Sub-internship. Students can create an elective that is tailored to meet the student's specific interest. This experience includes individual advanced discussions with a faculty member.
  • Scholarly Concentration (SC) program. A faculty-mentored, scholarly experience for medical students. Wilmer faculty may serve as mentors for this program.
  • Ophthalmology Patient Clinical Correlation. A faculty-led session, where student have the opportunity to ask questions to current ophthalmology patients.

Ophthalmology lectures of the Neuro and Sensory Sciences unit of Genes to Society course

  • Optics and Anterior Segment - 
  • Photoreceptors - Dr. King-Wai Yau
  • Retinal Processing - Dr. Amanda Henderson
  • Visual Streaming - Dr. Amanda Henderson
  • Oculomotor Development & Strabismus - Dr. Michael Repka
  • Pupils, Eyelids, and the ANS - Dr. Michael Repka
  • Optic Neuropathies - Dr. Andrew Carey
  • Case Conference Low Vision - Dr. Gislin Dagnelie

  • Oculomotor Motor Systems Part 1 - Dr. David Zee
  • Global Burden of Blindness - Dr. Allen Eghrari
  • Oculomotor Motor Systems Part 2 - Dr. David Zee
  • Opthamologic Cases - Dr. Neil Miller
  • Glaucoma Case Conference Cases - Dr. Pradeep Ramulu
  • Drugs and the Eye - Dr. Henry Jampel
  • Diabetic Retinopathy - Dr. Mira Sachdeva


For Visiting Medical Students

Medical students performing research at Wilmer Eye Institute

Visiting medical students may take the 4 week general clinical elective or tailor an individual clinical elective to their interests.

For more information, contact the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine VISMED office.

Virtual Clinical Elective In Equitable Healthcare for Visiting Medical Students


Class Schedule: This two-week virtual elective consists of morning ophthalmology-specific curricular activities, followed by an afternoon universal curriculum for all student participants.

Course Description: This virtual 2-week elective course (80 hours total) explores key aspects in the care of diverse patient populations. The curriculum consists of a combination of virtual synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Students will engage in a universal curriculum as well as a specialty-specific curriculum based on their acceptance by director approval. A health systems science based universal curriculum hosted in the afternoons will cover topics such as health disparities, global health, Baltimore’s patient population and professional development. The morning specialty-specific curriculum will explore equitable healthcare within that specialty through patient interviews, case presentations, and team discussion, allowing students to refine their skills while networking with residents and faculty.